The southbound lane of Totem Lake Boulevard from south of 120th Avenue NE to north of NE 124th Street remains closed due to standing water over the roadway; the primary cause of the flooding is due to overflow from a privately owned detention pond adjacent to Totem Lake Boulevard. City crews are on site to monitor water levels and to clear culverts in the surrounding area. Drivers are encouraged to use caution. To report severe flooding or road hazards in Kirkland city limits, call the Public Works Maintenance line at 425-587-3900 or email publicworks@kirklandwa.gov. Please provide as much detail as possible about the location and impacts of flooding.
In 2011 the City conducted a detailed survey of the Totem Lake drainage system and located stream barriers where accumulation of sediment, invasive vegetation, and beaver dams were impacting the flow of water leaving the Lake. To reduce flooding, barriers were removed between I-405 and Totem Lake. The City also made significant progress towards reducing the severity and duration of seasonal flooding during the winter months through the use of temporary emergency pumping operations during the heavy rainfall events. These improvements showed significant results when, after over 8 inches of rain fell during three significant storm events (November 2011 through April 2012) and no road closures were needed because of flooding. Even with the most recent storm, additional capacity remained in the Lake to hold storm water. The current flooding conditions caused by the private property will be addressed in 2013 when the City will further increase Totem Lake’s capacity to accommodate run off from the property by replacing a small diameter culvert.